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  <channel>
    <title>&quot;Ballads of the Agonized Souls&quot; (by Noor Alam)</title>
    <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/18267</link>
    <description>&quot;when i brought shabjal to dhaka from manikganj for his treatment, he didn't want to let go of my hands because he was afraid of getting lost.
my sweetheart is lost forever,
now wherever i go i carry this picture, i feel he is with me.&quot;
shahida begum, shabjal's mother
shabjal, died of thalassaemia, at the age of 14, on shraban 7, 1414

many mothers like shahida begum are just living with the memories of their lost loved ones. hundreds of thousands of parents fight every moment to survive their children suffering from thalassaemia.

ballads of the agonized souls is a combination of some still-life images and portraits. the still-life images contain the memories of the lost ones and the portraits represent the brave fighters who are fighting a battle against this deadly disease.

according to a publication of world health organization (who) roughly 11.2 million people are thalassaemia carriers and 7,483 children are born with the disease every year with expected 3,74,154 living patients in Bangladesh. but most of the people in our country are not aware of it!
i am not a physician. nor a specialist about thalassaemia disease. rather merely a photographer. i only know that this fatal disease can be prevented. a mass consciousness is necessary to do that.
i have been photographing people affected by the deadly disease for last two years. my intention of doing this project is to explore the real scenario as much as i can. the battle against this disease cannot be fought alone. a social movement is required to uproot thalassaemia where the government, media, physicians, guardians, patients and everyone will have roles to play. my effort is just to be a part of this cohesive battle.

About Thalassaemia
the term thalassaemia is derived from the greek word &quot;thalassa&quot; meaning &quot;the sea&quot; as the patients were initially identified in the mediterranean area. it was also termed as &quot;mediterranean anaemia&quot;.
thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder by which the body is unable to produce adequate hemoglobin (hb) in red cells of blood. normally red cells survive for 120 days. but thalassaemia-affected red cells survive less than that. if parents are thalassaemia carriers their children may become diseased. persons born with thalassaemia suffer from chronic anaemia. as a result their growth is stunted and without any treatment they usually die by the age of 5.
thalassaemia is not seen everywhere in the world. it is concentrated in south-east asia and mediterranean region. every year over 250 millions people are affected by thalassaemia and 100,000 thalassaemia majors (carriers) are born across the world. according to a publication of world health organization (who) roughly 11.2 million people are thalassaemia carriers and 7,483 children are born with the disease every year with expected 3,74,154 living patients in bangladesh.
the only permanent cure for thalassaemia is bone marrow transplantation which is a very expensive treatment and not available in bangladesh. the best treatment available today is of frequent blood transfusions (every two to three weeks) with iron chelating therapy. the only possible way to survive from this deadly disease is to prevent it earlier. for this, every one should be cautious. every one should take blood hb-electrophoresis or carrier detection examination. if anyone is a thalassaemia carrier, he or she should be careful about marriage and taking children. thus the future child will not be affected by the deadly disease by their parents. 


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      <url>http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/22408/_DSC2269_web_small.jpg</url>
      <title>Ballads of the Agonized Souls | Noor Alam</title>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/Noor Alam</link>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;the doctor said two bags of blood is needed with 20 desferal injections each month. one bag of blood costs about 500 taka and also difficult to find. the desferal costs 250 taka. moreover, trips from chandpur to dhaka costs a lot of money. we are poor farmers, how will we get the money?&quot;

khuki, khorshed&#226;&#8364;&#8482;s mother
khorshed alam, age 9
affected by beta major thalassaemia
chandpur
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870354/noor_0001_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;the doctor said two bags of blood is needed with 20 desferal injections each month. one bag of blood costs about 500 taka and also difficult to find. the desferal costs 250 taka. moreover, trips from chandpur to dhaka costs a lot of money. we are poor farmers, how will we get the money?&quot;

khuki, khorshed&#226;&#8364;&#8482;s mother
khorshed alam, age 9
affected by beta major thalassaemia
chandpur
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870354'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870354</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:23:15 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870354</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870354/noor_0001_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870354/noor_0001_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;the doctor said two bags of blood is needed with 20 desferal injections each month. one bag of blood costs about 500 taka and also difficult to find. the desferal costs 250 taka. moreover, trips from chandpur to dhaka costs a lot of money. we are poor farmers, how will we get the money?&quot;

khuki, khorshed&#226;&#8364;&#8482;s mother
khorshed alam, age 9
affected by beta major thalassaemia
chandpur
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870354'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870354/noor_0001_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;when i brought shabjal to dhaka from manikganj for his treatment, he didn't want to let go of my hands because he was afraid of getting lost. my sweetheart is lost forever...
now wherever i go i carry this picture.
i feel he is with me.&quot; 

shahida begum, shabjal's mother 
shabjal died of thalassaemia
on shraban 7, 1414
at the age of 14
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870357/noor_0002_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;when i brought shabjal to dhaka from manikganj for his treatment, he didn't want to let go of my hands because he was afraid of getting lost. my sweetheart is lost forever...
now wherever i go i carry this picture.
i feel he is with me.&quot; 

shahida begum, shabjal's mother 
shabjal died of thalassaemia
on shraban 7, 1414
at the age of 14
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870357'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870357</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:24:46 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870357</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870357/noor_0002_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870357/noor_0002_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;when i brought shabjal to dhaka from manikganj for his treatment, he didn't want to let go of my hands because he was afraid of getting lost. my sweetheart is lost forever...
now wherever i go i carry this picture.
i feel he is with me.&quot; 

shahida begum, shabjal's mother 
shabjal died of thalassaemia
on shraban 7, 1414
at the age of 14
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870357'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870357/noor_0002_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;sometimes i get so sick that i have to stay in bed and can't go to school. i feel very depressed during those times.&quot; 

mehedi, age 12
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
uttara, dhaka
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870363/noor_0003_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;sometimes i get so sick that i have to stay in bed and can't go to school. i feel very depressed during those times.&quot; 

mehedi, age 12
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
uttara, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870363'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870363</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:27:58 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870363</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870363/noor_0003_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870363/noor_0003_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;sometimes i get so sick that i have to stay in bed and can't go to school. i feel very depressed during those times.&quot; 

mehedi, age 12
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
uttara, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870363'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870363/noor_0003_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;this is an artwork by my daughter diba. she was very beautiful. but later her appearance had changed due to illness.&quot;

nirmal kumar das, diba's father
debasree das diba died of thalassaemia
on november 14, 2004
at the age of 18
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870369/noor_0004_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;this is an artwork by my daughter diba. she was very beautiful. but later her appearance had changed due to illness.&quot;

nirmal kumar das, diba's father
debasree das diba died of thalassaemia
on november 14, 2004
at the age of 18
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870369'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870369</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:29:30 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870369</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870369/noor_0004_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870369/noor_0004_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;this is an artwork by my daughter diba. she was very beautiful. but later her appearance had changed due to illness.&quot;

nirmal kumar das, diba's father
debasree das diba died of thalassaemia
on november 14, 2004
at the age of 18
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870369'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870369/noor_0004_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;what didn't i do for my lovely daughter to be cured! i tried with several specialist doctors. even took refuge to pir-fakirs. but i know this disease is not to be cured. at last i left her fate on the hands of allah.&quot;

anjuman ara khan, anika's mother
anika, age 9
affected by beta major thalassaemia 
mohammadpur, dhaka
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870372/noor_0005_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;what didn't i do for my lovely daughter to be cured! i tried with several specialist doctors. even took refuge to pir-fakirs. but i know this disease is not to be cured. at last i left her fate on the hands of allah.&quot;

anjuman ara khan, anika's mother
anika, age 9
affected by beta major thalassaemia 
mohammadpur, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870372'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870372</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:30:42 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870372</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870372/noor_0005_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870372/noor_0005_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;what didn't i do for my lovely daughter to be cured! i tried with several specialist doctors. even took refuge to pir-fakirs. but i know this disease is not to be cured. at last i left her fate on the hands of allah.&quot;

anjuman ara khan, anika's mother
anika, age 9
affected by beta major thalassaemia 
mohammadpur, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870372'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870372/noor_0005_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;jasmine had always been very serious about her education. she was doing her graduation in management in eden college. she was preparing for her 2nd year final examinations, but time didn't allow her. her books are still there as they were. don't feel like moving them.&quot; 

akhteruzzaman waresi, jasmine's father 
jasmine akter waresi died of thalassaemia
on august 22, 2008
at the age of 22
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870384/noor_0009_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;jasmine had always been very serious about her education. she was doing her graduation in management in eden college. she was preparing for her 2nd year final examinations, but time didn't allow her. her books are still there as they were. don't feel like moving them.&quot; 

akhteruzzaman waresi, jasmine's father 
jasmine akter waresi died of thalassaemia
on august 22, 2008
at the age of 22
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870384'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870384</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870384</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870384/noor_0009_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870384/noor_0009_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;jasmine had always been very serious about her education. she was doing her graduation in management in eden college. she was preparing for her 2nd year final examinations, but time didn't allow her. her books are still there as they were. don't feel like moving them.&quot; 

akhteruzzaman waresi, jasmine's father 
jasmine akter waresi died of thalassaemia
on august 22, 2008
at the age of 22
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870384'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870384/noor_0009_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;ronnie was very meritorious. she continued her study even after her illness worsened. she dreamt of being a doctor. even took steps to fulfill her dream. unfortunately, she couldn't finish her mission.&quot;

abdur rashid howlader, ronnie's father
tania sultana ronnie died of thalassaemia 
on july 29, 2006
at the age of 21
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870387/noor_0010_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;ronnie was very meritorious. she continued her study even after her illness worsened. she dreamt of being a doctor. even took steps to fulfill her dream. unfortunately, she couldn't finish her mission.&quot;

abdur rashid howlader, ronnie's father
tania sultana ronnie died of thalassaemia 
on july 29, 2006
at the age of 21
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870387'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870387</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870387</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870387/noor_0010_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870387/noor_0010_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;ronnie was very meritorious. she continued her study even after her illness worsened. she dreamt of being a doctor. even took steps to fulfill her dream. unfortunately, she couldn't finish her mission.&quot;

abdur rashid howlader, ronnie's father
tania sultana ronnie died of thalassaemia 
on july 29, 2006
at the age of 21
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870387'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870387/noor_0010_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;my sister used to take singing lessons and i took on tabla. we used to practice together every morning. now the instruments are gathering dust.&quot;

touhiduzzaman, rana's younger brother 
saiyeda ferdousi akter rana
died of thalassaemia
on july 5, 1993
at the age of 15
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870390/noor_0011_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;my sister used to take singing lessons and i took on tabla. we used to practice together every morning. now the instruments are gathering dust.&quot;

touhiduzzaman, rana's younger brother 
saiyeda ferdousi akter rana
died of thalassaemia
on july 5, 1993
at the age of 15
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870390'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870390</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870390</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870390/noor_0011_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870390/noor_0011_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;my sister used to take singing lessons and i took on tabla. we used to practice together every morning. now the instruments are gathering dust.&quot;

touhiduzzaman, rana's younger brother 
saiyeda ferdousi akter rana
died of thalassaemia
on july 5, 1993
at the age of 15
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870390'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870390/noor_0011_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;imon has a swelled belly along with acute pain. the doctor said if he had he had the spleen operation, he could get well. the operation will take 20,000 taka. imon's father has died. how is it possible for me to collect the money?&quot;

imon's mother   
imon, age 14
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
bikrampur
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870396/noor_0013_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;imon has a swelled belly along with acute pain. the doctor said if he had he had the spleen operation, he could get well. the operation will take 20,000 taka. imon's father has died. how is it possible for me to collect the money?&quot;

imon's mother   
imon, age 14
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
bikrampur
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870396'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870396</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870396</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870396/noor_0013_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870396/noor_0013_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;imon has a swelled belly along with acute pain. the doctor said if he had he had the spleen operation, he could get well. the operation will take 20,000 taka. imon's father has died. how is it possible for me to collect the money?&quot;

imon's mother   
imon, age 14
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
bikrampur
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870396'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870396/noor_0013_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;shanto's father is a rickshaw puller and i work in a garment factory. this is how we run the family. if we spend whole days in hospital, how can we earn a survival?&quot;

anwara begum, shanto's mother   
shanto, age 10
affected by beta mejor thalassaemia
kazipara, dhaka
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870393/noor_0012_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;shanto's father is a rickshaw puller and i work in a garment factory. this is how we run the family. if we spend whole days in hospital, how can we earn a survival?&quot;

anwara begum, shanto's mother   
shanto, age 10
affected by beta mejor thalassaemia
kazipara, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870393'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870393</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870393</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870393/noor_0012_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870393/noor_0012_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;shanto's father is a rickshaw puller and i work in a garment factory. this is how we run the family. if we spend whole days in hospital, how can we earn a survival?&quot;

anwara begum, shanto's mother   
shanto, age 10
affected by beta mejor thalassaemia
kazipara, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870393'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870393/noor_0012_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;sajeeb has been suffering from fever with dysentery for many days. at first we relied on homoeopathy treatment, but his condition was deteriorating. then we had to rush to the local hospital. the doctor suggested taking him to dhaka. they said he is affected by a disease named thalassaemia or something and needs an operation immediately. twenty bags of blood are required. but i managed only four bags. from where will i get the rest?&quot;

shahidul islam, sajeeb's father
sajeeb, age 8
affected by beta thalassaemia intermedia
rajbari
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870399/noor_0014_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;sajeeb has been suffering from fever with dysentery for many days. at first we relied on homoeopathy treatment, but his condition was deteriorating. then we had to rush to the local hospital. the doctor suggested taking him to dhaka. they said he is affected by a disease named thalassaemia or something and needs an operation immediately. twenty bags of blood are required. but i managed only four bags. from where will i get the rest?&quot;

shahidul islam, sajeeb's father
sajeeb, age 8
affected by beta thalassaemia intermedia
rajbari
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870399'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870399</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870399</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870399/noor_0014_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870399/noor_0014_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;sajeeb has been suffering from fever with dysentery for many days. at first we relied on homoeopathy treatment, but his condition was deteriorating. then we had to rush to the local hospital. the doctor suggested taking him to dhaka. they said he is affected by a disease named thalassaemia or something and needs an operation immediately. twenty bags of blood are required. but i managed only four bags. from where will i get the rest?&quot;

shahidul islam, sajeeb's father
sajeeb, age 8
affected by beta thalassaemia intermedia
rajbari
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870399'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870399/noor_0014_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;bhaiya used to stay home most of the time. he felt uncomfortable to go outside. the fishes in the aquarium seemed to be his closest friends, with whom he passed his days.&quot; 

sajeeb, shyamal's younger brother 
shariful islam shyamal died of thalassaemia
on february 26, 2008
at the age of 19
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870402/noor_0015_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;bhaiya used to stay home most of the time. he felt uncomfortable to go outside. the fishes in the aquarium seemed to be his closest friends, with whom he passed his days.&quot; 

sajeeb, shyamal's younger brother 
shariful islam shyamal died of thalassaemia
on february 26, 2008
at the age of 19
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870402'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870402</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870402</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870402/noor_0015_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870402/noor_0015_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;bhaiya used to stay home most of the time. he felt uncomfortable to go outside. the fishes in the aquarium seemed to be his closest friends, with whom he passed his days.&quot; 

sajeeb, shyamal's younger brother 
shariful islam shyamal died of thalassaemia
on february 26, 2008
at the age of 19
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870402'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870402/noor_0015_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[untitled]</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871116/28_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871116'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871116</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871116</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871116/28_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="540" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871116/28_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871116'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871116/28_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;this picture was taken when maisha was three-month old. we weren't aware at all that our sweetheart was carrying this fatal disease. we couldn't even imagine that she'll leave us so soon.&quot;

mahbub alam, maisha's father
rubaiyat binte alam maisha
died of thalassaemia
on february 28, 2009
at the age of 14 
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870441/noor_0018_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;this picture was taken when maisha was three-month old. we weren't aware at all that our sweetheart was carrying this fatal disease. we couldn't even imagine that she'll leave us so soon.&quot;

mahbub alam, maisha's father
rubaiyat binte alam maisha
died of thalassaemia
on february 28, 2009
at the age of 14 
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870441'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870441</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870441</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870441/noor_0018_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870441/noor_0018_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;this picture was taken when maisha was three-month old. we weren't aware at all that our sweetheart was carrying this fatal disease. we couldn't even imagine that she'll leave us so soon.&quot;

mahbub alam, maisha's father
rubaiyat binte alam maisha
died of thalassaemia
on february 28, 2009
at the age of 14 
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870441'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870441/noor_0018_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>[untitled]</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871170/29_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871170'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871170</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871170</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871170/29_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="540" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871170/29_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/871170'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/871170/29_Zaid_18__X30___inkjet_matt_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;i have been married for many years, but my husband still doesn't know it. i come to my father's home to get treatment. i am scared to tell him, what would happen if he divorces me?&quot;</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870435/noor_0016_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;i have been married for many years, but my husband still doesn't know it. i come to my father's home to get treatment. i am scared to tell him, what would happen if he divorces me?&quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870435'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870435</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:31:27 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870435</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870435/noor_0016_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="600" width="399"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870435/noor_0016_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;i have been married for many years, but my husband still doesn't know it. i come to my father's home to get treatment. i am scared to tell him, what would happen if he divorces me?&quot;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870435'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870435/noor_0016_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;i don't like to go to hospitals. doctor apa always gives me injections. it hurts too much.&quot;

fatema, age 9
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
kazipara, dhaka
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870444/noor_0019_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;i don't like to go to hospitals. doctor apa always gives me injections. it hurts too much.&quot;

fatema, age 9
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
kazipara, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870444'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870444</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:59 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870444</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870444/noor_0019_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="600" width="399"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870444/noor_0019_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;i don't like to go to hospitals. doctor apa always gives me injections. it hurts too much.&quot;

fatema, age 9
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
kazipara, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870444'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870444/noor_0019_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;most of the time i have to stay home. i can't go out and play in the field due to my illness.&quot;

russell, age 13
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
haluaghat, mymensingh
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870774/noor_0022_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;most of the time i have to stay home. i can't go out and play in the field due to my illness.&quot;

russell, age 13
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
haluaghat, mymensingh
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870774'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870774</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:59 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870774</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870774/noor_0022_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870774/noor_0022_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;most of the time i have to stay home. i can't go out and play in the field due to my illness.&quot;

russell, age 13
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
haluaghat, mymensingh
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870774'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870774/noor_0022_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;reeshad had expressed the depth of his pain in the lines of poetry. moments in surreality contains the words of his anguished soul.&quot;                                                     

dr.golam rabbany,reeshad'sfather rabbany,    founding president
bangladesh thalassaemia society 
reeshad rabbany died of thalassaemia 
on december, 2005
at the age of 23
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870747/noor_0020_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;reeshad had expressed the depth of his pain in the lines of poetry. moments in surreality contains the words of his anguished soul.&quot;                                                     

dr.golam rabbany,reeshad'sfather rabbany,    founding president
bangladesh thalassaemia society 
reeshad rabbany died of thalassaemia 
on december, 2005
at the age of 23
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870747'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870747</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870747</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870747/noor_0020_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870747/noor_0020_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;reeshad had expressed the depth of his pain in the lines of poetry. moments in surreality contains the words of his anguished soul.&quot;                                                     

dr.golam rabbany,reeshad'sfather rabbany,    founding president
bangladesh thalassaemia society 
reeshad rabbany died of thalassaemia 
on december, 2005
at the age of 23
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870747'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870747/noor_0020_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;this is the photo of his last birthday. he wanted a grand celebration and fun with friends and family. but it wasn't like that because of his sickness.&quot;

syeda masuda hasan, ragib's mother
syed manzurul rahim mutaqabbir ragib
died of thalassaemia
on november 24, 2006
at the age of 25
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870753/noor_0021_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;this is the photo of his last birthday. he wanted a grand celebration and fun with friends and family. but it wasn't like that because of his sickness.&quot;

syeda masuda hasan, ragib's mother
syed manzurul rahim mutaqabbir ragib
died of thalassaemia
on november 24, 2006
at the age of 25
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870753'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870753</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870753</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870753/noor_0021_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870753/noor_0021_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;this is the photo of his last birthday. he wanted a grand celebration and fun with friends and family. but it wasn't like that because of his sickness.&quot;

syeda masuda hasan, ragib's mother
syed manzurul rahim mutaqabbir ragib
died of thalassaemia
on november 24, 2006
at the age of 25
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870753'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870753/noor_0021_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;my two other children are quite okay, only shad is ill. thalassaemia was detected when he was only a four-month baby. none among our relatives has this disease. at first i couldn't bear his ailment, but now i am much stronger. i am fighting a battle round the clock to keep him well.&quot;

shad's mother
shad, age 8
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
dhaka 
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870783/noor_0023_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;my two other children are quite okay, only shad is ill. thalassaemia was detected when he was only a four-month baby. none among our relatives has this disease. at first i couldn't bear his ailment, but now i am much stronger. i am fighting a battle round the clock to keep him well.&quot;

shad's mother
shad, age 8
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
dhaka 
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870783'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870783</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870783</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870783/noor_0023_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870783/noor_0023_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;my two other children are quite okay, only shad is ill. thalassaemia was detected when he was only a four-month baby. none among our relatives has this disease. at first i couldn't bear his ailment, but now i am much stronger. i am fighting a battle round the clock to keep him well.&quot;

shad's mother
shad, age 8
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
dhaka 
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870783'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870783/noor_0023_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;we feel very sad when we see our child shanto is suffering because of us. we both are well but because of us he has to suffer his whole life. we pray no other parents do this mistake.&quot;

rafiqul islam, shanto's father
shanto, age 12
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
goran, dhaka
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870807/noor_0024_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;we feel very sad when we see our child shanto is suffering because of us. we both are well but because of us he has to suffer his whole life. we pray no other parents do this mistake.&quot;

rafiqul islam, shanto's father
shanto, age 12
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
goran, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870807'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870807</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870807</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870807/noor_0024_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870807/noor_0024_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;we feel very sad when we see our child shanto is suffering because of us. we both are well but because of us he has to suffer his whole life. we pray no other parents do this mistake.&quot;

rafiqul islam, shanto's father
shanto, age 12
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
goran, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870807'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870807/noor_0024_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>&quot;sometimes i get very angry when i see the number of patients affected by this disease increasing very rapidly throughout the country. but the government and media are paying no attention to this. only giving speeches and participating in seminars on thalassaemia day and forgetting about it the next day.&quot;

shamsun nahar, shampurna's mother
shampurna, age 2
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
mohammadpur, dhaka
</title>
      <description>&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870810/noor_0025_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;sometimes i get very angry when i see the number of patients affected by this disease increasing very rapidly throughout the country. but the government and media are paying no attention to this. only giving speeches and participating in seminars on thalassaemia day and forgetting about it the next day.&quot;

shamsun nahar, shampurna's mother
shampurna, age 2
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
mohammadpur, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870810'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</description>
      <guid>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870810</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:34:53 +0000</pubDate>
      <link>http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870810</link>
      <media:content url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870810/noor_0025_large.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="599" width="900"/>
      <media:text type="html">&lt;img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870810/noor_0025_small.jpg' /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&quot;sometimes i get very angry when i see the number of patients affected by this disease increasing very rapidly throughout the country. but the government and media are paying no attention to this. only giving speeches and participating in seminars on thalassaemia day and forgetting about it the next day.&quot;

shamsun nahar, shampurna's mother
shampurna, age 2
affected by e-beta thalassaemia
mohammadpur, dhaka
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/870810'&gt;view full-size image&lt;/a&gt;</media:text>
      <media:thumbnail url="http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/870810/noor_0025_large.jpg"/>
      <media:credit role="author">Noor Alam</media:credit>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
